Statement on Usama Alshaibi, Kartemquin filmmaker

March 7, 2011
1:07 pm

Usama Alshaibi, Kartemquin's Diversity Fellow and director of in-progress documentary American Arab, was the victim of a racist attack yesterday in Fairfield, Iowa. The Chicago Reader has posted an article on the incident which contains a statement from Usama, and the Associated Press has also written about the incident.
Below is a statement from Kartemquin's Executive Director, Justine Nagan:
"We were all saddened to hear about the incident in Fairfield this weekend involving our Diversity fellow, filmmaker Usama Alshaibi. Kartemquin Films strives everyday to create opportunities for dialogue and understanding. Hate crimes bring down the entire community- not only the individuals directly involved. Our thoughts are with Usama and his family, and all of Fairfield, as they work to move through the repercussions of what happened."